Application of Crew Resource Management techniques in the aerospace industry

Abstract

Based on reports of aerospace companies, human errors occur most often during the manufacturing phase, which in this paper includes assembly and test operations. Applying Crew Resource Management (CRM) techniques in the aerospace industry from early stages can minimize errors and improve safety during the manufacturing phase, and the mission/program in general. The author suggests different CRM measures involving organizational factors, decision-making, leadership, communication, teamwork, workload planning, and training. These can be incorporated into current aerospace programs that deal with human safety, lessons learned, six sigma, and root cause analysis, among others. If CRM techniques along with human factor considerations are incorporated within the life cycle of a mission, costly errors at the manufacturing stage can be minimized when small errors are found early in the program. It also provides approaches for entrepreneurs and rising aerospace companies to be able to integrate human factor concepts through CRM techniques into their products or services early in their development.